Lock, chain and cover your bike!

THE METROPOLITAN POLICE have launched a new drive to reduce the theft of two wheeled motorised vehicles – scooters, motorcycles and mopeds. Not only are such crimes a bother to vehicle owners – their bikes can be used to commit other crimes.

Last autumn the Metropolitan Police adopted new measures to combat crime committed on stolen motorbikes, including scrambler bikes and automatic tyre deflation devices – which have assisted in reducing the number of bike thefts.

The current campaign centres on persuading riders to use extra security to make it harder for anyone to seal their vehicle.

Tower Hamlets is the only East London borough to feature in the top ten boroughs for motorbike theft, so local police will be hoping residents pick up on the campaign. The key advice the Metropolitan Police are putting across throughout the campaign is:
•Lock: use a disc lock to help secure the front brake disc, or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls.
•Chain: use a chain lock through the back wheel (the front wheel can be removed). Secure your bike, with the lock taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture.
•Cover the bike as it makes it less attractive and harder for thieves to steal.

Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt, Territorial Policing, said, “We have put a huge amount of effort into stemming the rise in moped-enabled crime, and are now seeing reductions, which is great. However, we are not complacent. All the new tactics and technology we have introduced will be backed up by really proactive policing.

“We will keep arresting offenders and running proactive intelligence led operations to make the streets more hostile for criminals to operate. Also, through focusing our efforts on dismantling markets for stolen goods we will make these crimes less financially beneficial.

“Today, I’d like to ask all scooter or moped users in London to become a part of our effort to make life harder for these criminals. Lock, chain, and cover your bike when you leave it. It is simple, yet effective, and if it makes a thief think twice before stealing your bike then it’s worth it.”

Tony Campbell, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, said, “The motorcycle industry is working closely with the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office to help tackle scooter theft and associated crimes, and spread the message that locking and covering a motorcycle or scooter will make it a less desirable target to opportunistic thieves. We are therefore calling on all owners of powered two wheelers and everyone working in the industry to get behind a culture of always using physical security.”

•Read more about it:
Sadiq Khan talks safety with motorcycle industry
Met runs don’t phone and drive safety week

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